Overview
- Merab Dvalishvili reiterated that he does not want to face Alexander Volkanovski, saying he respects the featherweight champion and intends to stay at 135 pounds.
- He is booked to defend his bantamweight belt against Petr Yan in December at UFC 323, continuing a busy title run.
- Reporting notes that his stance could strain a recently improved relationship with UFC president Dana White given past friction over matchup refusals and weight moves.
- Coverage assesses a Dvalishvili–Volkanovski bout as unlikely unless Volkanovski attempts a first-time cut to 135 pounds.
- Volkanovski remains the featherweight titleholder with a recent decision win over Diego Lopes and a 2–3 stretch in his last five, and he and Dvalishvili maintain an amicable rapport.